Amma is god, people will vote for god: Jayalalithaa's devotee RB Udhayakumar

THIRUMANGALAM (MADURAI): He didn't wear slippers for years out of devotion for AIADMK supremo and Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa till she herself admonished him a few years ago. He took out a 67 km padhyatra when she was jailed in a disproportionate assets case last year, praying for her release.
Apart from being the state's revenue minister, he also heads Amma Peravai, second most important organisation of the AIADMK, mobilising hundreds of party members and `Amma admirers' to canvass for Jayalalithaa.

Meet RB Udhayakumar a lawyerminister who has held three portfolios in Jayalalithaa's cabinet, who is contesting from Thirumangalam, a place 20 km from Madurai.During his campaign, not once does he ask for votes for himself.

Humbly folding hands in front of women who welcome him with an 'aarathi' of kumkum and brick powder placed on a green paper plate with a prominent picture of Jayalalithaa, he asks them to vote for `Amma,' reminding them of everything in their home is courtesy her.

“Amma is god in every household.I am just a collector of votes that people are eagerly waiting to give to their god,“ he told ET.

He distributes `written proof ' of his claims -a 42-page glossy book with pictures of Jayalalithaa meeting mother Teresa, Hillary Clinton, and how Amma canteens, Amma water, grinders, fans, sewing machines and cattle have transformed their lives. What makes him think Jayalalithaa is god? Udhayakumar has an answer ready.

“She is the only leader in the world who has thought of the poor so much. She not only announces, but also implements everything she says. She is unshakeable in her belief that she has to do what she says. She didn't listen to any argument of unavailability and made sure laptops from across the world were brought to the state to fulfil her promise. That is amma.“

The opposition to the ADMK in Tamil Nadu is weak, he added.“The Congress has vanished from the country. There is no reason why it will sprout here...and the DMK likes to change our schemes with 'amma' to 'anna'. They will soon do that their name.Only ADMK will remain.After these elections nothing will be left of them..“

Acccording to Madurai-based political strategist Perumal Mani, minister Udhayakumar is a classic case of the growth of a hardworking Aiadmk party member to good heights.